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Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games4 - 15 April 2018

Queensland's Gold Coast is set to be transformed by the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

By Jac Taylor and Shamila Othman

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) will bring 18 sports, seven para-sports and countless amazing athletic feats to the Gold Coast over its 11 days. It will also provide an opportunity to join in the giant festival atmosphere in one of Australia's best loved beach metropolises. The Gold Coast offers beach culture, nightlife, dining and accommodation aplenty, especially at Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast's main hub. Add the Commonwealth Games, and you've got a recipe for lots of fun.

Fast facts

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Things to do

Bring the spirit of Malaysia Boleh! to the Gold Coast There are many ways you can be part of the action on the Gold Coast and fly the Jalur Gemilang to support the Malaysian team! Don’t miss out on the swimming and diving at the Optus Aquatic Centre, track cycling at the Anna Meares Velodrome, squash at the Oxenford Studios and badminton at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre. Events also take place elsewhere in Queensland, including shooting in Brisbane and basketball in the tropical cities of Townsville and Cairns.

Join in Festival 2018Entertainment won’t just be confined to the sporting arena during GC2018. You can join in on Festival 2018 - an arts and cultural 12-day program that galvanises the city. Supporting the Commonwealth Games Federation’s values of Humanity, Equality and Destiny, Festival 2018 will feature extraordinary and memorable artistic events – from major public art commissions to collaborations with performers and artists. The entire program is designed to celebrate Queensland’s lifestyle with its culture of creativity and capture the authentic spirit of the Gold Coast and its communities.

Get cultural in the new arts precinctTo inject some extra creativity and cultural experiences into the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games, a full arts program is planned for the AUD$37 million Evandale Gold Coast Cultural Precinct (currently under construction). This 17 hectare (42 acre) complex will consist of striking architecture, a garden-style amphitheatre and the outdoor Artscape, a setting for markets, festivals and performances, all within walking distance of the town of Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast's main hub.

Don't miss

Beach volleyball will make its debut at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. At the Gold Coast, with its miles of stunning beaches, the atmosphere should be electric. Competition will take place in the seaside village of Coolangatta, about a half hour drive south from Surfers Paradise. Shuttles will depart regularly from Surfers Paradise too.

How to get there

You can fly in to Gold Coast International Airport from Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia X. Singapore Airlines and Malindo Air fly to Brisbane and from there, Gold Coast is an easy one hour drive south of Brisbane.

Special offers

Find out more about GC2018 and the Gold Coast

Fast-track fun on the Gold Coast, where the high-rises are built around superb surf beaches like Surfers Paradise. Dive into lively nightlife, international theme parks and designer boutiques, see the coast from a Spitfire plane and cheer on competitors in the Coollangatta Ocean Swim. Experience the opulent Palazzo Versace or head to the hinterland for rainforest walks and spa retreats.

Whether it's a family holiday, beach break or sophisticated resort, the Gold Coast has it covered. Find a hip bar and restaurant scene, great shopping, and cafés among the villages along the coast. Enjoy golf courses, thrill-seek your way around world-class theme parks or simply hit the iconic beaches and surf in year-round sunshine.

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